It was her first trip to the Taabe and it should have been a happy one filled with excitement and the possibility of adventure. The complete opposite of the car ride she was experiencing now.

She was able to make it through the muted goodbyes with her family without revealing her distress. Or at least that’s what she thought. But now as she sat in the backseat of one of the SUVs she turned her head to the window and let a few silent tears fall. Hoping they would escape the notice of Ander who was sitting across from her. Looking weak in front of him would only make things more difficult.

In a way, she was kind of getting what she’d always wanted. Hadn’t she told herself she would give anything, do anything to get out of that place, to find answers? Yes, she had, multiple times. Now that it was happening she was crying about it.

Admittedly this was never how she expected things to happen and maybe the timing wasn’t of her choosing. Certainly not with a deranged man as a companion who she was sure would want to do “mate” things with her sooner rather than later. All the same, here she was. They do say to be careful what you wish for after all.

She braved a glance at Ander. He was just sitting quietly deep in thought so she took the chance to study him. It was night now and the moonlight shone on his face highlighting his features and at the same time casting shadows that danced around him.

One could almost believe he was at peace. Given his size, it would be hard to believe he could be beautiful. Yet he was. He had an elegance about him, his posture regal and commanding even at rest.

She thought of what she knew about this man, tried to remember what she’d learned about him before today. Everyone had known about his disappearance, which was what people would most talk about in regards to him. But she also remembered the stories of his gallant bravery. How he’d ruthlessly fought to protect his people for thousands of years. Which means his age was in the thousands-of-years also.

His strength was legend rumored to be unequaled, stronger than even the mated Lycan who were typically twice as strong as the unmated ones. Not much was known about him personally, just his ability to win battles and the code of honor he lived by. She couldn’t remember what it was exactly but knew it was intense, like life sacrificing intense.

She could imagine that intensity and what it would be like if aimed at her. She reminded herself that she was in a very precarious position. As much as she’d hate to admit it, he was in control and had all the power here. She was in his car, going to his home, in his city, in his kingdom. He’d proven the more she fought the harder he would come down on her. It had been stupid and foolish of her to be so upfront and stubborn with him, only fueling him on but she was taken by complete surprise. Who wouldn’t have responded emotionally in that position?

Her mother, that’s who. Always calm, always reserved she was like an impenetrable safe when it came to knowing what she was thinking or feeling. She had always taught her and Kota of the power that came with controlling yourself, “ Make people see what you want them to see, don’t allow everyone to know what affects you. Then they can control you. Remember what’s in a closed fist can be worth millions, once that fist opens for all to see, it’s worth nothing.”

At first, she hadn’t understood. Now, she’d realized how colossally she fucked up. Of course, he would not trust her now that he knew how she felt after she’d shown so much disdain at the idea of being his mate. He would be keeping a close eye on her, making it harder for her to do the only thing she cared to do there. Find answers.

She would need to smooth things over with him, play nice if possible. She’d learned enough from tv tapes to know that when a man had even the slightest interest in a woman he could be easily manipulated. The only problem for her is he wasn’t interested in her specifically but his mate. And she had no experience with men not to mention manipulating them.

She knew what the cliches were. Laugh at his jokes, damsel in distress, feed his ego, make him feel needed, etc. However, he didn’t seem like the joking kind of guy. She was clearly no damsel in distress and as far as the ego and need to be needed was concerned, well surely the thousands upon thousands of Lycan who were dependent on him would take care of that one.

So where did that leave her? What could he possibly need from her so that she could gain some kind of control or protection for herself? The only thing for certain she knew about him was: A. He’s an asshole and B. He believes he’s the returned Alpha from the prophecy and that she's his mate.

That’s it! The prophecy. “With such gift your powers grow, lose it and your life in tow,” If he believed that, then he would believe he needed her to make him stronger. He needed her support, compliance, needed her to make him feel powerful enough to do what he never could before. She could do that - to an extent.

Yes, she could do that, make him feel like he was getting what he wanted-ish. She would never agree to matehood but that didn't mean he had to know that. She could stall him, at least until she got what she needed and then would figure out the rest then.

With a semi-plan of action in place, she allowed herself to drift off to sleep. She would need all the rest she could get before they arrived at the Taabe.